Haikyuu! Reaching New heights

The day had finally arrived.

We stood in front of Chihaya Middle School's massive gym, staring up at the building like it was some kind of fortress.

Because in a way—it was.

Inside, we weren't just facing another school team.

We were up against a real volleyball club.

A team that had been training for years.

A team with tall, experienced players.

A team led by Rintaro Seki—their captain, their wall, their ace.

And yet—

I couldn't stop smiling.

.

The moment we stepped inside the gym, the energy shifted.

The Chihaya players were already warming up. Their movements were sharp, controlled, completely in sync.

And then—he turned around.

Rintaro Seki.

6'0", lean, and built like a proper athlete. His black hair was cropped short, and his sharp eyes immediately locked onto us.

The moment he saw me, his eyebrows raised slightly.

Then, he smirked.

"So, you're the Hinata kid I've been hearing about."

I blinked. "Wait… people talk about me?"

Seki chuckled. "Word gets around. People are saying you're fast, reckless, and a little crazy."

Kenji muttered, "Okay, that's weirdly accurate."

Seki crossed his arms. "But speed alone won't work against us."

I grinned. "Good. I was hoping for a challenge."

His smirk widened. "Then let's see what you've got."

.

As we moved to our side of the court, I noticed something.

Kenji was cracking his knuckles repeatedly.

Izumi kept bouncing on his toes.

Kōji looked like he was going to throw up.

They were nervous.

I clapped my hands together. "Alright, listen up!"

Everyone turned to me.

"Yeah, they're stronger than us. Yeah, they've been playing longer. But we didn't come here to lose before the match even started."

Kenji sighed. "Tch. I know, I know."

Izumi took a deep breath. "Alright. We fight."

Kōji muttered, "I'm still terrified."

I grinned. "Then let's make them terrified of us."

.

The ref called us over.

Yukigaoka Middle School – Starters:

✔ Hinata Shoyo – Outside Hitter (Captain)

✔ Kenji Hayama – Setter

✔ Izumi Ryo – Libero

✔ Kōji Nakamura – Middle Blocker

✔ Tetsu Arai – Opposite Hitter

✔ Daichi Okabe – Wing Spiker

Chihaya Middle School – Starters:

✔ Rintaro Seki – Outside Hitter (Captain, Ace)

✔ Hajime Oda – Setter

✔ Toru Shibata – Middle Blocker

✔ Keita Nagase – Libero

✔ Masaki Endo – Opposite Hitter

✔ Ren Takahashi – Wing Spiker

The ref blew the whistle.

"First set. Chihaya to serve."

I clenched my fists.

'This is it. The biggest match we've had so far.'

Seki stepped up to the service line, spinning the ball in his hand.

Then, he tossed it up—

And the match began.

....

The gym fell silent as Rintaro Seki tossed the ball into the air.

His movements were calm, precise, controlled.

Then—

BOOM!

His jump serve exploded off his hand, rocketing toward our side like a missile.

My stomach tightened.

'Fast—too fast!'

.

Izumi lunged to receive.

But—

BAM!

The ball slammed into his arms and ricocheted straight out of bounds.

Ace.

Point: Chihaya.

Score: 0-1.

Izumi shook his arms, wincing. "What the hell was that?!"

Kenji groaned. "That thing had no spin. It just dropped out of nowhere."

Matsuda-sensei called from the sideline, "That's a high-level jump float serve. Hard to read, hard to receive."

Seki smirked from across the net. "Hope you're ready for more."

I clenched my fists.

'This is bad. If we can't control our receives, we won't even get a chance to fight back.'

.

Seki served again.

Izumi adjusted, bracing himself—

But the ball swerved last-second.

Shank. Out of bounds.

Point: Chihaya.

Score: 0-2.

Kenji cursed. "Damn it! We can't even start a rally!"

Kōji gulped. "Are we… gonna get crushed?"

I stepped forward, placing a hand on Izumi's shoulder.

"We'll figure it out."

Izumi sighed. "How? His serves are insane."

I smirked. "Then let's be even crazier."

.

Seki prepared for his third serve.

I crouched lower. Watched him carefully.

His toss. His approach. His contact point.

'He's aiming for low, floating serves that drop fast.**'

I exhaled.

'Alright. Then I'll react even faster.'

The serve came flying.

I rushed forward.

Got under the ball.

Angled my arms.

And—

BAM!

The ball flew up. Not perfect, but playable.

Kenji didn't hesitate. "Nice one! I got it!"

He sprinted, set the ball fast and low.

I took off—jumping before the ball even reached me.

Seki's blockers rose to meet me.

I saw their hands—waiting for my spike.

So instead—

I faked my swing.

And at the last second, I soft-tipped the ball past them.

BAM!

It hit the floor.

Point: Us.

Score: 1-2.

Kenji smirked. "Hah! Take that!"

Izumi let out a relieved breath. "Finally…"

Seki raised an eyebrow.

Then—he smiled.

"Oh. So you really can play."

I grinned.

"You have no idea."

.

Kenji stepped up to serve.

On the other side, Seki and his teammates shifted positions immediately.

I narrowed my eyes.

'They're already preparing a counterattack.**'

Kenji tossed the ball—served deep.

Chihaya's libero received it perfectly.

Their setter, Hajime Oda, moved in—

And suddenly, the entire court shifted.

I felt the air change.

'Wait… this isn't a normal set.'

Oda flicked the ball fast and low—too fast for a normal play.

Seki was already in the air.

Kenji's eyes widened. "A quick attack?!"

BOOM!

Seki's spike blasted past our block.

Point: Chihaya.

Score: 1-3.

Kenji cursed. "Damn it! That was too fast!"

Izumi groaned. "They can run quick attacks too?!"

Seki landed, smirking. "What's wrong? You're not the only one who can move fast."

I wiped sweat from my forehead.

'This is bad. If they can match our speed…'

Then we needed something even faster.

I turned to Kenji.

"We're running the quick attack."

Kenji blinked. "Wait—already?!"

I grinned. "We don't have a choice."

Kenji sighed. "Tch. Fine. But don't mess up."

I nodded.

Across the net, Seki watched me carefully.

I grinned at him.

'Let's see if you can stop this.'